The AO Arena has been the premium arena space in the North West of the UK since it was opened in the mid-90s. There’s now big competition for performance space in Manchester, so does this old gem still live up to the hype? I’ll let you decide!
BOOKING
Accessible bookings for the AO Arena are made online via AXS. The arena has a full access guide on the website that explains what to look for on the ticketing app when booking accessible tickets. You can select either wheelchair tickets or ambulant disabled tickets. They offer seating labelled as AP, an accessible platform with level access, either on level 1 of the arena or down on the arena floor. The ambulant seating is down a limited number of steps in Rows X and Y around the arena. As with many ambulant seating options in arenas, your view may be obstructed if people stand up in front of and around you.
For some events, there is also CP, a camera platform only big enough for one chair and one carer. I’ve booked these in the past and find them excellent seating. If you prefer to be away from the main wheelchair area, this is a great option.
As with many other venues, there is no restriction on being a wheelchair user to book the accessible platforms despite limited spaces and few or no other options for wheelchair users.
On a previous visit in 2024, I was fortunate to be gifted a premium upgrade to the sparkling new ‘The Mezz’. The Mezz is a premium restaurant with menus curated by Michelin-star chefs, decadent decoration and the best seats in the arena bowl. The facilities were entirely wheelchair accessible, including a wheelchair bay with luxury padded seating for companions. Booking online doesn’t appear to offer The Mezz for wheelchair user tickets. Still, the contact details for the hospitality managers are all on the arena’s website, so it’s worth getting in touch if it’s something you like the idea of. Other VIP and hospitality packages are on offer at the arena, but not much information is available online, so I don’t know how accessible the options are. I’m sure the hospitality managers would be more than willing to discuss the options with you if you get in touch.
LOCATION AND GETTING THERE
The arena is located in the centre of Manchester, partially connected to Victoria train station.
The arena also integrates a multi-storey car park, which is pre-bookable and chargeable to all users. However, you cannot pre-book an accessible bay. The park has 40 accessible bays.
There is an event offer that all vehicles can use - park from 5pm until midnight for events at the AO Arena for a flat rate of just £12.00 (not available on pre-book)
The arena is well-connected by public transport. The Manchester Metrolink tram system stops at Victoria Station and connects across a vast area. The trams are all accessible.
There is a large pedestrianised area near the arena, but if you time it well, you can also find street parking within a couple of minutes roll or walk.
There are also unofficial car parks around the industrial units in the area if you want to take a risk in one of those (entirely your own decision)
Within a short distance, there is a vast selection of hotels in a broad price range, so there is something for everyone.
Being so central, there are many food and drink options close by to start your evening on the right foot.
GETTING IN
There are three entrances into the arena with step-free access: Trinity Way, Hunts Bank, and Victoria Station. I always use the Victoria Station entrance, as it’s easy to get to the station, easy to find the lift, and close to the accessible seating bays as you enter the arena. The lift is manned by security staff who will check your ticket and ensure that only access customers use the lift.
As with all arenas, there are bag restrictions and security checks on the doors. Wheelchair users are checked with electronic wands, whereas everyone else walks through upright scanners.
Once you’re in through the doors on the concourse, there are lots of signs to help you find where you need to be.
FACILITIES
The arena has a wide concourse, no seating, and a range of outlets. It also has all the standard facilities: food and snack outlets with lowered counters, accessible toilets, and a Changing Places.
There are no overhead signs to indicate where the lowered counters are, so from the perspective of a wheelchair user; they are challenging to find if you don’t know about them.
The merch desks, which have counters at a reasonable height, are dotted around the concourses on all levels. There is a large merchandise desk at the Victoria Station entrance for some events.
The toilets are all rader-keyed; however, they get misused when the doors aren’t closed after use. Disappointingly, this was also the case with the Changing places, despite there being multiple members of security staff nearby.
Drinks are served in soft plastic cups that easily bend and pucker, so drinks tend to get spilt.
There are free tap water dispensers on the concourse.
SEATING
The arena's ambulant seating on Rows X and Y is the standard high-backed padded seat.
On the accessible platforms, the companion seats are padded fold-up seats that can easily be moved around to accommodate wheelchairs.
The platforms are a good height above the seating in front, so if people stand up, your view remains unobstructed.
As is often the case, the majority of the access platforms were taken up with ambulant disabled people who may stand up and dance during the event, which can affect your view or the comfort of other people.
The access platforms do not display any marked bays or seating numbers despite having seat numbers on your tickets. Staff will arrange for you on a first-come, first-served basis using your block number. At times, more people seemed to have tickets for the blocks than spaces available. Some staff members were quite abrupt, trying to move people to fit everyone in and not considering allowing space for access to get out.
What I’ve found on multiple occasions is having people walking backwards and forwards behind you throughout the event, even standing behind you watching the show at times! Inside the concourse doors, there are signs requesting that, for safety and security, you keep the area clear. There is a member of security staff inside each doorway to assist with finding seats, crowd control and such. Despite the doors all clearly being marked with block and seat numbers and which doors to use for floor access, people still tend to use the wrong doors. When this is the case, rather than the staff directing them back out onto the concourse and around to the relevant doors, they direct them across the access platforms. This means a regular stream of people walking between the two rows of seating, talking, bumping into the backs of chairs and blocking access in and out. I imagine this can be problematic for some people, but it’s also annoying when they can easily walk around the concourse.
GETTING BACK OUT
With multiple doors, people are heading in different directions, many stumbling after one too many!
I always recommend waiting a few minutes for the crowds to disperse before heading for the exit. Some leave early and may miss the last song or two.
The exits from the arena are all clearly marked.
The lift back into Victoria Station does not have security staff after the event, but we’ve always found it is used fairly.
You’ll likely find sellers with unauthorised merchandise outside the arena exits.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Some of the staff are pretty abrupt. Despite the arena website guide stating that their customer-facing staff have had accessibility awareness training, how they deal with customers is sometimes questionable. Even the dedicated access staff wearing blue bibs sometimes did not consider the access customer needs above those of other customers.
The toilets need protection from misuse - there are lots of regular toilet facilities without people having to use the accessible toilets to avoid the queues.
The venue would benefit from having specific wheelchair-only access platforms. When wheelchair access is at a premium, many users miss out on tickets bought by ambulant disabled customers who could be seated in the ambulant seating rows. I know it’s not easy, but wheelchairs are limited in where they can go.
